Mining apparatus.



T. DE RooD'E.

MINING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 29. 1912.

. Patented May 15, 1917.

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T. DE ROODE.

MINING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 2s. I9I2.

1 ,226,065. l Patented May15, 1917.

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l T. DE ROODE.

MINING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED 153.29, 1912.

1,226,065. Patented May15,1917.

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UNITED srairns rarrnrvr ortica TRIMBLE DE ROOD, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

MINING APPARATUS.

Appli-cation filed February 29, 1912.

, To all whom it may concern:

paratus to be used in connection with min-v ing, and particularly in connection with a` new method of mining set forth in detail and claimed in my companion application filed February 29, 1912, Serial No. 680,617.

In the drawings,

.Figure 1 is a horizontal section illustrating conventionallythe first step of my improved process.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same.

Figs. 3, 5, 7, 9, `11 and 13 are horizontal sectional views of progressive steps.

Figs. 41,6, 8, 10, 12and lll are vertical sectional views of Figs. 3, 5, 7, l9, 11 and 13, respectively. i

Fig. 15 is a relatively enlarged detail view, conventional in character, of the, shield or bulkhead and some of the apparatus therein employed in carrying out my improved method.

F ig. 16 is aside elevation, partly in section, of the same apparatus, certain parts being omitted,.or not seen.

17 is a plan view with the shield partly in section, on a. horizontal plane.

Fig. 18 is a front elevation of the same apparatus partly in section.

nt the outset I will describeA in a general way my improved method of mining which comprises forming a cut in the material to he mined; placing therein a suitable shield or bulkhead having in advance thereof a working space fitted with suitable apparatus for performing the mining operation; advancing said bulkhead or shield and forming an outlet passage to the rear thereof of less cross sectional area than the cross sectional area of' thesaid .working space and directing said shield in kany desired course through the material to be excavated, relining and separating the material excavated as the wm'k of excavation progresses. As shown inthe drawings, Figs. 1 to 14.-, such an apparatus may be caused to traverse completely a large tract of mining material while that 'part ofthe material actually` removed to the surface represents a very small Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 15, 1917.

serial No. 680,618.

part of the material actually mined or operated on since the major part of the separated material is deposited behind the advancing shield; the minor part of said materiai, for example the coarser part, is removed through tlie primary outlet passage to ay point outside of the entrance to the mine. Such a process is of material value when employed in an anti-debris section wherein there areI objections to discharging from the mine the finer debris that tends to operate as a nuisance. The apparatus herein described comprehends such means as is necessary to extract the values of the material and separate and manipulate the balance in the manner heretofore referred to.

ln the drawings, 7 represents the ladder of a digger which constitutes the preferable means for the main excavating work. r)This ladder is hinged at a and may be provided with a suitable number of mechanically actuated excavating' buckets 7b. 7c-7d are levers pivotally connected together, the former being also connected to the ladder' 7, the latter being also pivotally mounted at 7e. fis a chain suitably driven and connected with the levers 7C-7d to elevate the ladder 7. The entire digger thus describedis mounted on a suitable carriage which is arranged to traverse a track 7g whereby said carriage may be moved transversely within the shield or bulkhead and so that the laddei 7 or digger will have the widest possible range of movement. The various details of construction for operating and driving the latter may be modified in a variety of ways unnecessary to describe herein. As hereinbefore stated, the material excavated is separated and refined as the work of exca ration progresses. These latter means are included in an apparatus whereby a portion of the excavated material is divided, portions being subsequently deposited in the bore in rear of the bulkhead while other portion eventually are conveyed out of the mine. Any suitable form of dividing appai'atus may be employed, and as illustrative thereof numeral S conventionally represents a separating device for the excavated material while la represents a convenient pipe to convey the material excavated by the digger 7 toy said separating device 8. 9 represents conventionally refining apparatus to which material passes from the separating device 8. 10 conventionally represents a sluice-way. 11 represents one end of a casioo ing which constitutes one end of the primary passage which enterslthe `bulkhead from the rear. In the preferred form the casing 11 enters the rear of the bulkhead at one side of the center, as best seen in Fig. 17, and means 11a is provided whereby the point of elevation where said casing enters said shield or bulkhead may be varied as exigencies require. 12 is a discharge pipe through which the material to be restrainedis passed from thezinside of the shield or bulkhead to a point outside of and to the rear thereof. 13 is a pipewhich enters the shield from the rear, the purpose of said pipe being to drain such excess water as may be contained in the restrained material at the rear of the bulkhead, said drain pipe 13 leading, for example, to the sluice box 10', as shown. 15 represents what may be termed a packing or gland of any suitable construction arranged externally of the shield, the function of which is to prevent any excess of material to the rear of the bulkhead from leaking forward of the bulkhead or shield. 16-16 are independently operable cutting lips suitably mounted at the front of 'the shield or bulkhead and arranged to be forced ahead into the material to be excavated or in the path of movement of the edge of the shield. Means for forcing said lips ahead may comprise hydraulic rams 16a. 17 conventionally represents driving wheels which may be of any suitable form and which are power driven, as by a ram v17 a, the function of said wheels being to advance or aid in advancing the shield. 18 are hydraulic nozzles arranged to swing as shown adjacent t0 the lips 16 to facilitate cutting away the material to be excavated in front of said lips. 19 represents a hydraulic supply pipe which communicates with any suitable source of power, for example, outside of the mine, said supply pipe 19 leading through the primary passage within the casing 11. The shield or bulk-head referred to is constructed in the main preferably of two main parts; namely, a lower part 20 which is Ushaped in horizontal cross section, and an upper part or roof 21 which surrounds the lower part 20 and overstands the same to form a roof to support the top wall or ceiling, thereby affording a thoroughly protected working space within said shield or bulkhead, open ,at the front for the work of excavating. 22 is a low secondary bulkhead which extends across the front of the lower part 20 of the bulkhead, the function of said secondary bulkhead being to protect 'the Hoor of the working space against any inrush of water or material; for example, in the'. event of a cave-in. The advantage of forming the shield or bulkhead of rtwo sections 20-21 is apparent since in some instances it might be desirable to work the cut to a higher or lower elevation, in which event the upper section 21 of the bulkhead or shield may be elevated or depressed in a horizontal plane, said parts being slidably mounted one on the other and equipped with any suitable jacking means such, for example, as a hydraulic jack conventionally shown at23. Suitable packings 211 may, of course, be provided between the overlapping portions of the shield members 20-21. Likewise suitable packings 2a may be provided for the adjustable entrance 'at the rear of the bulkhead for the casing 11 of the primary entrance and exit passage. As shown in Fig. 17, the broadestpart of the shield or bulkhead is at' the front end, the sides thereof converging toward the rear, the purpose being to make it possible to readily alter the direction or course of the shield as the work progresses. The line of convergence of one side of the bulkhead is preferably Vupon an arc having its center at the opposite front edge of the bulkhead. rIhe several lips 16 are provided with any suitable bearings; for example, anti-friction rollers 1Gb, see 17.

In the specification I have used theterms bulkhead and shield and in order that the distinction may be clearly understood and for the purposes of intelligently reading vthe following claims, it should be understood that by the 'term bulkhead I mean a means to stand to the rear of the line of work to advance therewith at a proper distance therefrom to furnish a proper adequate space. By the term shield 3 specicaflly,.I mean means which primarily supports the overhead material and which may be so constructed as to extend to the rear of the working space so as to also perform the function of the bulkhead aforesaid. Y Either and both of these means constitute protecting means to prevent material from flowing into or falling into the working space.

By the term f walls 7 as used, I intend to include either the topi, rear, or side walls.

What I claim is:

1. In an apparatus for use in a bore or cut, amovable protecting means furnishing a working space therein open at one end, a refining apparatus within said protecting means, and means for transferring and depositing the material excavated in the bore to the rear of andy adjacent said protecting means as the latter' is advanced to progres sively refill said bore or cut.

2. In an apparatus for use in a bore or cut, a movable protecting means furnishing a lworking space open at one end, means within said working space for separating the excolf vanced to progressively refill said bore or cut, said protecting means having an outlet passage at the rear. with means for moving the coarser excavated material through said passage. c .i s

3. In an apparatus for use in a bore or cut, a movable protecting means open at the front forming a Working space, means for separating excavated material into fine and coarse grades, a" reiiningapparatus Within said protecting means coperating with said separating means,` and `means for transferring and depositing the finerl grade of the separated material in thebore to the rearof said protecting means asthe latter is advanced to progressively refill said bore or cut.

ll. In an apparatus for use in a bore .or -cut, a protecting meansk open at the kfront forming a Workingspace, means for separating the excavated material -Within said `working space into fine and coarse grades,

and means for progressively depositing the finer grade in the bore tothe rear of the protecting means .to progressively refill said bore or cut, said protecting means shaving an outlet passage of less cross sectionalwarea' than the cross sectional area ofthe `Working space, and means for moving the coarser grade of material through said passage.

5. In an apparatus for use `in a bore or cut, a protecting `means furnishing a Working space open` at 4one end, `means for separating the excavated material Withinsaid Werking space into fine and coarse grades, a refining apparatus` cooperating With'i said separating means to treat part of the material separated thereby, means for progres-y sively depositing the material from said relining` apparatus inthe bore to the rear of the protecting means, said protecting means positing the iiner part of said excavatedy material at the rear of the protecting means, said protecting means having an outlet `passage at `the rear thereof, with hydraulic means for moving the coarser portion of` said excavated fmaterial through said passage, and means for removingsurplus Water from the material to the rear of the protecting means. i

Q7. In "an :apparatus formining, a movable protecting meansopen at the front forming a working space,` means for separating excaa n vated material `Within said Working space, a

refining apparatus coperating with said separating means to treat material separated thereby, means for hydraulically depositing the waste material from said refining apparatus to the rear of said protecting means as the latter is`advanced,said protecting mea-ns having an outlet passage at the rear thereof of less cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of the Working space, and hydraulic means for removing through said passage the part ofthe separated material not treated by said refining apparatus.

8. In an apparatus for use in a bore or out, a protecting means forming a Working space at one end, means at the `front-thereof to excavate material, means Within said Working space to separate the material excavated, means for progressively depositing the finer portion of said excavated material at the rear of the protecting Ameans to refill said bore or cut, and means for moving the coarser part of the excavated material from said Working space and from said bore or cut.

9. In an apparatus for use in a bore or cut, a protecting means forming a Working space open at its front end, means at the Vfront thereof for excavating material, means Withinfsaid Working space for separating the material excavated, a refining apparatus Within said Working space cooperating with said separating means to treat partof the material separated thereby, means for progressively Ydepositing the Waste material .from said refining apparatus at the rear of said protecting means to refill said bore or cut, and means for removing from said Working space the separated .material not treated by said refining apparatus.

l0. In an apparatus for mining,a protecting means for forming a working space open at its front end, means at the front thereof for excavating material, means Within said Working space for separating the material excavated, a refining apparatus Within said Working space cooperating With said separating means to treat material separated thereby, means for hydraulically depositing the Waste material from said refining apparatus at the rear of` said protecting means, means for hydraulically removing from said Working space the separated material not treatedby said refining apparatus, and means for removing surplus Water from the material deposited to the rear of said protecting means.

11. In an apparatus for mining in a bore or cut, in combination, an excavating tool, a bulkhead provided with a shield portion and adapted to move toward the material to be excavated, a material` dividing apparatus protected by said shield'portion, and means adapted to deposit part of the divided material in the bore in rear of said bulkhead.v

12. In an apparatus for mining in a bore or cut, in combination, an excavating tool, a bulkhead adapted to move toward the material to be excavated, al material dividing apparatus in front of and protected by said bulkhead, and means adapted to deposit part of the divided material in the bore in rear of said bulkhead. l

13. In an apparatus for mining in a bore or out, in combination, an excavating tool, a bulkhead provided with a shield portion and adapted to move toward the material to be excavated, a material 'dividing apparatusy protected by said shield portion and movable therewith, and means adapted to deposit part'of the divided material in the bore in rear of saidV bulkhead.

14. In an apparatus for mining in a bore or cut, in combination, an excavating tool, a bulkhead provided with a shield portion and comprising relatively adjustable parts adapted to move toward the material to be excavated, a material dividing apparatus protected by said shield portion, and means adapted to deposit part of the divided material in the bore in rear of said bulkhead. 1

15. In an apparatus for mining in a bore or cut, in combination, an excavatingy tool, a 'bulkhead comprisingn transversely curved roof and base portions adjustable relatively to each other adapted to move toward the material to be excavated, a material dividing apparatus intermediate said roof and base portions of saidbulkhead, and meansl adapted to deposit part of the divided material in the vbore in rear of said bulkhead.

16. In an apparatus for mining in a bore or cut, in combination, an excavating tool, a bulkhead comprising a transversely and longitudinally 'curved roof portion andr a transversely curved base portion adjustable relatively to each other adapted to move toward the material to be excavated, a material dividing apparatus intermediate said roof and base portions of said bulkhead, and means adapted to deposit'part of the divided material in the bore in rear of said bulkhead.

17. In an apparatus for mining in a. bore or cut, in combination, an excavating tool, a bulkhead provided with a shield portion and adapted to move toward the material to ybe excavated and having independently movable cutting lips operable substantially longitudinally of said bore, a material di` viding apparatus protected by saidshield portion, and means adapted to deposit part ofthe divided material in the bore in rear of said bulkhead.

18. In an apparatusfor mining in a bore or cut, in combination, an excavating tool, a bulkhead provided with a shieldportion and adapted to move toward the material to be excavated and having independently movable cutting lips operable substantially longitudinally of `said bore, a transverse glandA on said bulkhead adapted to contact said bore, a material dividing apparatus movable with said shield, and means adapted to deposit part of the divided material in the bore in rear of said bulkhead.

19. In an apparatus for mining in a bore or cut, in combination, an excavating tool, a bulkhead adapted to move' toward the ymaterial tofbe excavated, a material dividing apparatus in front o-f said bulkhead, means adapted to deposit a portion of the divided material in the bore in rear of said bulkhead, and means whereby another` portion ofl said divided material may be conliofeyed past saidmaterial deposited in said ore. f

20. In an apparatus for mining in a bore or cut, in combination, an excavating tool, a bulkhead `adapted to move toward the material to be excavated, a material dividing apparatus in front of said bulkhead, means adapted to deposit a portion of the divided material in the bore in rear of said bulkhead, and means whereby another portion of said divided material may be conveyed past said material deposited lin said bore, comprising a passageway communicating with said bulkhead and extending rearwardly thereof.

21. In an apparatus for mining in a bore or cut, in combination, an excavating tool, a bulkhead adapted to move toward the material to be excavated, a material dividing i apparatus protected by and in front of said bulkhead, means adapted to deposit a portion of the divided-material in the bore in rear of said bulkhead, and means whereby another portion of said divided material may be conveyed past said material deposited in said bore comprising a passageway communicating with said bulkhead at one side of the center thereof and extending rearwardly thereof. g

22. In an apparatus for mining in a bore or cut, in combination, an excavating tool, a bulkhead adapted to move toward the material to be excavated, a material dividing apparatus, means adapted to 'deposit a portion of the divided material in the bore in rear of said bulkhead, means whereby another portion of said divided material may be conveyed past said material deposited in said bore, comprising a passageway communicating with said bulkhead and extending rearwardly thereof, and means adapted to establish a current of said other portion of said material through said passageway. f

23. In an apparatus for mining in a bore yor cut, in combination` an excavating tool,

a bulkhead adapted to move toward the material to be excavated, a material dividing apparatus, means adapted to deposit a portion of the divided material in the bore in rear of said bulkhead, and means whereby another portion of said divided material may be conveyed past said material deposited in said bore, comprising a passage- Way communicating with said bulkhead and extending rearwardly thereof, a pipe in said passageway adapted to discharge into said dividing apparatus, said dividing apparatus having means adapted to direct a portion of the divided material into said passageway with material discharged from said pipe.

24. In an apparatus for mining in a bore or cut, in combination, an excavating tool, a bulkhead adapted to move toward the material to be excavated, a material dividing apparatus, means adapted to deposit a portion of the divided material in the bore in rear of said bulkhead, comprising a pipe connected to the discharge end of said dividing apparatus and adapted to discharge into the bore in rear of said bulkhead, and means whereby another portion of said divided material may be conveyed past said material deposited in said bore.

25. In an apparatus for mining in a bore or cut, in combination, an excavating tool, a bulkhead adapted to move toward the material to be excavated, a `material dividing apparatus, means adapted to deposit a portion of the divided material in the bore in rear of said bulkhead, comprising a pipe connected to the discharge end of said dividing apparatus and adapted to discharge into the bore in rear of said bulkhead, a separate pipe adapted to lead from the deposited .material into the space between said bulkhead and the head of said bore, and means whereby another portion of said di vided material may be conveyed past said material deposited in said bore.

26. In an apparatus for mining in a bore or cut, in combination, an excavating tool, a bulkhead adapted to move toward the material to be excavated, a separating apparatus, a reiining apparatus, a passageway lead* ing through said bulkhead and extending rearwardly thereof, means adapted to establish a hydraulic current through said refining apparatus past said bulkhead to said bore in rear of said bulkhead, and means adapted to establish a hydraulic current from said separating apparatus through said passageway.

TRIMBLE DE RooD.

Witnesses E. E. MORSE, IDA M. I-IUNZIKER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I), C. 

